A long-running tradition signaling the community’s Terry Fox run is moved to a new location this year.
Organizers of the annual run that raises money for cancer research raised the run’s flag Monday outside the Children’s Animal Farm in Canatara Park.
Typically it’s raised at the park’s entrance from Christina Street, but the flag pole there was damaged and removed in recent years.
City officials didn’t immediately have an answer Tuesday about whether a replacement pole will be installed.
The new location isn’t ideal, said run organizer Laurie Rome.
But the silver lining is people will be able to see see the flag on run day, Sunday, as they’re walking or running, said Maria Varsava, another organizer.
Sarnia’s return to an in-person event last yearRome said, saw about 300 people raise $52,900 — marking a return to the level reached in 2019, when $51,000 was raised.
A series of smaller, decentralized runs in 2020 and 2021 amid COVID-19 raised $35,000 and $41,000 respectively.
The tally in 2022 was good, Rome said.
“Were going to do better this year.”
Kids activities, a silent auction and appearances by Sarnia Sting players are new this year, she said, noting an online auction held last year isn’t returning.
Postcards will also be available for people to fill out with messages to the Terry Fox Foundation, in line with this year’s ‘Dear Terry’ theme, Varsava said.
It’s a nod to the 69,000 letters the foundation received from people in 1981 while Fox was running his Marathon of Hope.
Many contained messages of love and encouragement and often shared deeply personal experiences, Varsava said, reading from a note to organizers from Fox’s brother Fred.
“Every letter inspired Terry and our whole family during many difficult days,” the letter reads.
People are encouraged to fill in whatever they want and mail the pre-stamped postcards, Rome said.
Registration Sunday starts at 8 am, and the run begins at 9 am
Details are at run.terryfox.ca/28685.